Weymouth dancer Eilish wins place at top New York summer school (From Dorset Echo)

Weymouth dancer Eilish wins place at top New York summer school

11:00am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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A 17-YEAR-OLD Weymouth dancer is heading for the bright lights of New York after securing a place at a prestigious summer school.

Eilish Harmon-Beglan of Rodwell said it was a ‘complete dream’ to be accepted by the Juilliard School, an internationally-acclaimed performing arts school.

The Thomas Hardye pupil is also excited to be the only English person taking part in this year’s Summer Dance Intensive course.

She will fly out to America for the three-week course starting on July 18, which covers ballet, contemporary work, ballroom and music appreciation.

Eilish said: “It’s a dream, I didn’t expect it at all. It was a complete shock when I found out I’d got a place, I’m so excited.

“I was at home really early in the morning about to go to my dance class at Quay Theatre Arts when my dad brought through the email.

“I’ve recently found out that I’m the only person from England going to it. It’s an incredible experience.”

She added: “I want to have a career in dancing and I’m looking into studying at international schools.

“My dance teacher Jill Tindale is so excited and pleased for me, she’s been very supportive.

“I couldn’t have done it without her.”

Eilish’s proud mum Alison Harmon-Beglan said the opportunity had been made possible by a £1,000 grant her daughter won in a dance competition last year.

She said: “Last year Eilish won the Stella Mann bursary at the Imperial Ballet Awards in Crawley and was given £1,000 to use on further dance education.

“We looked into the school because we thought she might as well do something exciting with it.

“We didn’t think she’d stand much chance because there are only 44 places worldwide, but Eilish sent off her application and we hoped for the best.

She added: “Eilish is absolutely over the moon, she dances every waking minute.

“She’s been a senior assistant of the Royal Ballet for the last couple of years, and this opportunity is only ever going to help her.”